The Basics of Macular Hole Treatment

The macula is a very small spot in the center ofperiod can be tough. The patient must lie face
the back of the eye (retina) that sees clear,down for days so that the bubble stays in the
colored vision. The other part of the retina isright place in the eye. Traveling by air is also not
composed of rods that see movements. So itan option as the changes in pressure can cause
can be pretty scary if a hole develops in this parteye damage.
of the eye. Aside from a blurry vision, macularRemember that most of the patients are not
holes can also affect night vision and peripheralworried about the process of doing the surgery,
vision.but the post-surgery effects it can cause.
Macular holes are more likely to develop in peopleAlthough the removal of the gel will fix the
around the age of 60. Holes in the macula canproblem for the macular hole, it heightens the risk
occur due to vitreous shrinkage and/orof developing other eye problems such as
separation, eye injury or a detached retina.cataract.
Although the development of macular disorder isCommon risks of this surgery include retinal
yet to be determined, it most likely occur fromdetachment and infection or even high grades of
the vitreous.cataract development. Infection and retinal
A vitreous is a gel like material that fills the backdetachment are treatable and cataracts can be
of the eye. Also called the vitreous body, thisremoved once the eye has healed. However,
helps keep the eye its shape. However, themost of the patients who went through several
vitreous shrinks with aging. As it shrinks it can pulleye surgeries develop the types of cataract and
on the retina, referred to as a hole.eventually led to blindness and other serious eye
If macular hole is untreated, it can get worsedefects.
over time. In some cases, macular hole can beThese are just some of the things that we should
fixed sometimes without intervention. However, inknow about eye treatments. There is always a
most cases, it requires treatment to avoid totalcomplication in every surgery. The positive side of
loss of vision.it might be clearer vision and removal of the
A vitrectomy is a common treatment for maculardefect. However, there are things that we cannot
holes. This surgery is done by removing theavoid such as the aftershocks, should I say.
vitreous gel to stop it from pulling on the retina.After the surgery, it is very beneficial to follow
Then a retinal specialist inserts air bubbles and gasthe medications religiously and make sure that the
into the space once occupied by the vitreousrecovery guidelines are being observed. In this
allowing the macula to heal. The bubbles graduallyway, we can lessen the greater risk of acquiring
fades over time and natural eye fluids will take itsother complicated eye defects that might lead us
place.to total loss of vision.
The surgery itself is easy but the post operation